Zero-emission, H₂-powered commercial vehicle innovator, Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), announced the delivery of its engineering prototype test “mule”, X1.5, to the HVS test facilities. This marks the beginning of the crucial development phase to bring the UK’s first full-sized H₂ HGV to market.

X1.5, powered by the same state-of-the-art H₂ fuel cell as will be used in the production HGVs, will be used for functionality and systems development, including dyno-rig testing, and is an important precursor to track testing prototypes that will quickly follow.

The delivery of X1.5 is a key milestone for HVS which, following the successful launch of its HGV technology demonstrator in April this year, has been focusing on bringing this transformative vehicle to market.

John McKenna, Chief Technical Officer, HVS, said, “The team and I are thrilled that the X1.5 engineering prototype has arrived at our test facility, and we can now begin the vital development phase of testing the H₂ fuel-cell technology on the dyno-rig. Maximizing the performance of the fuel cell is a key step ahead of beginning on-track testing and bringing this exciting new HGV to market”.

Designed and engineered from a clean sheet approach, HVS’ zero-emission H₂ electric HGV is set to decarbonize the hardest-to-abate section of the transport industry, heavy haulage. HGVs currently make up 1.5% of all vehicles on the road yet produce 19% of the emissions. HVS’ range of HGVs will emit only 693 ml of water per kilometer as a byproduct of the H₂ fuel-cell producing electricity.